NEW YORK, Aug 5 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were on track for
their best day in a month on Friday, with the S&P 500 touching a
record intraday high after a second straight month of robust
labor market data heightened expectations for acceleration in
economic growth.

The U.S. Labor Department report showed that nonfarm
payrolls rose by 255,000 in July, far outpacing expectations for
a gain of 180,000.

While the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9
percent, it held below the 5 percent mark associated with full
employment.

The S&P 500 reached 2,182.33, its ninth record intraday high
since July, powered by a 1.8 percent gain in financials,
which would be primed for profit increases should the Federal
Reserve raise interest rates.

JPMorgan Chase shares gained 2.8 percent to $66.34
and the financial index reached its highest level of the year.
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